§ 66. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to state when the next International Maritime Conference will take place; what subjects will be referred to it for consideration; and whether it is intended that the enhanced safety in different respects of the crews of cargo vessels is to be the predominant issue at this Conference?
§ Mr. BURNSIt is proposed to convene an International Conference on load line, when the necessary preparatory work, which is now in hand, has been completed. This preparatory work is being carried out by the Load Line Committee, which has been sitting for some months, but I am unable to say when it will be concluded. The object of the Conference will be to approve international rules and tables for fixing the load lines of merchant ships, and to deal as far as possible with the question of timber deck loads. Matters relating to the safety of cargo vessels and their crews will thus be the main subjects of discussion.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman see if it is possible to extend the scope of this inquiry to include suitable construction of vessels for carrying other forms of deck cargo?
§ Mr. BURNSIt must be obvious at this moment I cannot give an answer to an important question of that character.